The ashes shared at the beginning of Lent are remnants of the palms that were distributed at the end of the previous Lent. We wave and celebrate the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem and into our lives. Then, we burn that palm and etch the cross onto our foreheads with its ashes as a visible sign of our acceptance to be Christ’s followers.
Peace and blessings for Holy Week. The following is the liturgical schedule for this week at Our Lady of Peace and Notre Dame de Lourdes.
Tuesday 31 March – Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at Our Lady of Peace from 9am until Benediction at 6:30pm
Wednesday 1 April – Living Stations of the Cross with the Notre Dame de Lourdes students at 11am
Thursday 2 April – Mass of the Lord’s Supper 7pm at Our Lady of Peace / OLP Church is open until 11pm for visits to the Repository.
Friday 3 April – Noon Outdoor Stations of the Cross at Our Lady of Peace (Stations will be commemorated in the church if the weather is inclement) / Commemoration of the Passion of The Lord at 3pm at Our Lady of Peace
Saturday 4 April – Blessing of the Easter Foods at Noon at Our Lady of Peace / Easter Vigil Mass of the Resurrection of The Lord at 7pm at Our Lady of Peace
Sunday 5 April – Morning Mass of the Resurrection 7:30 & 11:30 at OLP / 9:30 at Notre Dame de Lourdes
Readings and Reflection questions – Passion / Palm Sunday (Cycle A) – 29 March 2026
Reading for the reception and blessing of Palms:
Matthew 21:1-11 – In this late stage of Lent, what do you have need of? / What is the connection between Palm Sunday and Ash Wednesday? / “Who is this?” How would you answer that question about Jesus? How has the answer to that question changed during this Lenten season?
The readings for Mass:
Isaiah 50:4-7 – Who speaks to you when you need to be roused? What words do they speak that are most effective? / How resolute are you in your practice of the faith?
Responsorial Psalm 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24 – R. My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? – Do you trust that the Lord loves you? / Why did Jesus quote this psalm during his Passion? In what sense was Jesus abandoned by God? In what sense was God not far from him?
Philippians 2:6-11 – What is humility? In what ways did Jesus practice humility? How do you? / What reverence and respect do you show to the Holy Name of Jesus?
Matthew 26:14—27:66 – Why does Judas use a pronoun rather than speak Jesus’ name? / Why does Jesus use a riddle in answer to the disciples’ question about the Passover? / Has your faith ever been shaken? What / Who helped you to stabilize it? / What does it mean to keep watch? Where in your spirituality are you keeping watch? Where are you falling asleep? / Are you doing what you have come for? / Do you know the man? How do you know? / When have you been filled with deep regret because of sin? What was your recourse? / Why does Matthew include the message from Pilate’s wife? What purpose does it serve? / Who is Elijah? What do you know about him and his relationship with the Jewish people? Why is a seat reserved at every Passover meal for Elijah?
Readings and Reflection questions – Mass of The Lord’s Supper – Holy Thursday 2 April
Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14 – Why are goats included with the sheep? (See Matthew 25:31-46) / What meals do you typically eat when you travel? / What marks you as belonging to the Lord?
Responsorial Psalm 116:12-13, 15-16bc, 17-18 – Our blessing cup is a communion with the Blood of Christ. / Describe all the good that the Lord has done for you. / What bonds has the Lord loosed for you this Lent? With what bonds are you still entrapped?
1st Corinthians 11:23-26 – How frequently do you eat the Lord’s bread? / Do you imitate St. Paul by handing on the grace of the Eucharist to others?
John 13:1-15 – Whose feet do you need to wash? Who needs to wash yours? / Compare and contrast this Gospel with the Responsorial Psalm.
Readings And Reflection questions – Commemoration of the Passion of The Lord – Good Friday 3 April
Isaiah 52:13—53:12 – How does this reading give you a stronger desire to receive the Sacrament of Penance more frequently? / Do you think of your destiny? Why or why not? / Explain the line: “But the Lord was pleased to crush him in infirmity.” (Isaiah 53:10)
Responsorial Psalm 31:2, 6, 12-13, 15-16, 17, 25 – Father, into your hands I commend my spirit. – Who are the unremembered dead? How can they be remembered? / Do you feel like a dish that is broken? Perhaps chipped? Do you trust in and cooperate with the Lord’s efforts at restoration?
Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9 – Do you trust that God is able to sympathize with your weaknesses? / What is reverence? Why is reverence essential to prayer life and spirituality?
John 18:1—19:42 – What is your favorite place to meet with people? What makes that place so special? / What did Caiaphas mean by the words: “It is better that one man should die rather than the people.”? How are these words unintentionally prophetic? / How would you answer the question posed to Peter: “You are not one of this man’s disciples, are you?” / What is truth? How well are you testifying to the truth? / Reflect on the person of Pilate, his conversations with Jesus, and the steps that he took, or tried to take, before passing his judgment. / Compare and contrast Jesus’ trial with Paul’s trial (Acts 21:27—26:32). / What do you know about the disciple whom Jesus loved? Why was he entrusted with the care of the Blessed Mother? / Read Psalm 42 and reflect on Jesus’ words “I thirst.” How effectively are you quenching his thirst? / What do you know about Nicodemus? Why does St. John mention that Nicodemus first came to Jesus at night? / Why does St. John mention the weight of the spices? / The Passion begins and ends in a garden. Why?